How to Choose a Laundry Cycle

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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What goes on underneath that washing machine lid? The cycle you choose will determine the agitation level used to loosen soil from your clothes.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Set the cycle on gentle or delicates/knits for items such as lingerie, sheer or rayon fabrics, and machine-washable silk and wool, all of which benefit from the slower and shorter agitation and spin.
Step 2

Choose the permanent press cycle for synthetic fibers (excluding acrylic, modacrylic, rayon and acetate, which you should consider delicate) for shorter agitation time and an extra cold-water spray or deep rinse to smooth out the wrinkles.
Step 3

Set the cycle for most of your sturdier (and exceptionally soiled) clothes on regular - this cycle features a vigorous agitation and a hot water rinse.

Tips & Warnings

Some washing machine models with mechanical controls show only regular and permanent press cycles, but they allow you to adjust agitation and spin speeds.